County sheriff requirement passed

Lawmakers approved a proposal March 28 that requires county sheriffs in Nebraska to be certified law enforcement officers.

LB894, introduced by Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach, requires county sheriff candidates to possess a diploma issued by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice before running for office.

The measure also requires newly elected and appointed county sheriffs to obtain certification within eight months of taking office. County sheriffs elected to office before July 19, 1980, are exempt from the bill’s provisions.

LB894 passed on a 44-0 vote.